Vacuum heating system



May 2, 1933. L. F. EASTON 1,906,556

VACUUM HEATING SYSTEM Filed June 15, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1) Z/zue/zfor jzc'z'czrz 1 .225207:

May 2, 1933. L. F. 'EASTON VACUUM HEATING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledJune 15, 1929 Patented May 2,

Lucian r. EAS'ION, on LA .onossii; WISCONSIN N VACUUM .HEATING SYSTEMApplication. filed June 15,

This invention has particular reference to vacuum heating systems.

An object of the invention is to provide a pumping systemwhereby,without interrupting the movement of the pump or pumps used inthe system, substantially the entire pumping load may beeliminated fromthe driving mechanism for the pump or pumps.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a. pumping system thatemploys pumps for removing both air, vapors or gas, and liquids,respectively, from. a source of supply, and so govern the operation ofthe respective pumps that each of the pumps is in effective operationwhile the other pump ceases to function; and also to so arrange andcontrol therespective pumps that each is successively operative to pumpand nonoperative for pumping purposes for a period, the active conditionof each pump being timed to be simultaneous with the nonsoperativeperiod of the other pump.

Another object of the invention is to so control the active andnon-active periods of the respective pumps that they will be selectively governed by the status in the system of thesubstances beingpumped, so that each substance to be pumped is in fact pumped 3 onlywhen the necessity for such pumping occurs, whether the necessityfor'suchpump ing occurs at regular or irregular intervals, and to soarrangethe various parts for the purposes of the inventionthat thecontrol thereof shall be accurate and positive,

Another Ol)]Ci; of my invention is to increase the efficiency of thepumps by keeping the vacuum pump cool and the head against which thewater pump works at a minimum. The invention may be applied with greatadvantage to an ordinary vacuum steam heating system, of which itbecomesa part, in which an air pump is used to withdraw air," gas and vaporsfromthe coils and pipes and discharge them into the'air or otherdesirable place, so that the live steam or vapor from the boiler may becarried freely to the radiators, the vacuum pressure created by the airpump thereby permitting the evolution of steam at a much reducedpressure; and a 1929. sci-mi No. 371,200.

water pump is used to withdraw the water of condensation from the returnpipe and pass it again to the boiler; but the invention is also. adaptedto large range of uses for other purposes. I

In pumping systems heretofore in use, there has been no way, so far as Iam aware, in which eachoftwo pumps, used conjointly with each other, andoperated by a single power mechanism, couldbe alternately operstance,thewater of condensation and the air a and other gases finding their wayinto the system in one way or another, must be moved to permit the freefiow of live steam or vapor to the radiators to preserve a uniformamount of heat, or an adaptation of heat to varying conditions. Myinvention has solved the problem, in that at the proper time, as vary-'ing conditions of the gases and liquids in the i system require, each ofthe'pumps is operated alternately with the other, and the load of thenon-operative pump, during the period of its pumping idleness, isremoved from the driving mechanism. I do not stop the movement of eitherpump remaining connected to and continuously operated by the drivingmechanism during the period of its pumping activity. V p

I prefer to use, in a steam heating system, pumps of a rotary type, theair pump being of the type that uses liquid for passing. the air andvapors through, and in both pumps I render th'em temporarily inoperativeal though continuously in rotation during a pumping period, by admittingair into the chamber of the pump in such a way that the Moreover, mostof the liquid therein is so removed from the pumping chambers that nopumping is being done during the time the air is in possession of thechambers; or by admitting air freely to gas pump, and stopping the flowof liquid to Water pump suction.

The apparatus is so contrived, conditioned and automatically controlledthat when no pumping at all is required, the pumping mechanism itself isstopped, and rests until conditions in the system require new pumping tobe done, when the power will be again started, and the conditions withinthe system will determine whether the liquid pump or the air pump willfirst begin to pump; but whichever pump first begins to do pumping work,the other pump will remain functionally idle until the first pump istemporarily through with its work. Then it ceases to function, and theidle pump may begin its work.

Therefore, while some power is required to keep the two pumps constantlyin motion during a pumping period, the pumping load itself is in eachcase interrupted, and the load on the power consists of the more powerrequired to move the idle pump and the active pump for rotative purposesonly, plus the power required to cause the active pump to function inits work. The result is that there is a very marked saving in the powerrequired to operate the system, and a considerable re duction in cost ofmanufacture. My method of controlling the pumps is believed to be aninnovation in the art of pumping.

The apparatus of my invention is so related that the water pump issupplied directly from the return line of the system, while the air pumpcommunicates with a receiving tank or reservoir in communication withthe return line, so that the need for employing a receiver or reservoirwhich aflords a com mon source of supply for the two pumps is avoided,and the apparatus accordingly simplified and rendered. more efiicient.

Further objects and details of the invention will appear from thedescription thereof, in con unction with the accompanying drawings,wherein,-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus of the presentinvention as applied to a return line of a vacuum steam heating system;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section showing the air pump and associatedappliances;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken through line 3-3 of Fig. 2,looking in -e direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a top or plan view of the boiler check valve and associatedair inlet valve for supplying atmospheric air to disable the air pumpwhile the water pump is returning water to the boiler;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional elevation of the same;

Fig. 6 is an alternate form of device for admitting atmospheric air todisable the operation of the air pump; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of an air inlet valve for admitting air tothe water pump to disable its action under the influence of vacuum inthe system created by the operation of the air pump.

teferring to Figure 1, the principal units comprised in the apparatus ofthe present invention as applied to a steam heating system are thefollowing: a motor A; an air pump B; a water pump C; a boiler l); asystem of radiators E; and a vacuum tank F.

The boiler supplies steam, ordinarily under low pressure, to theradiator system through a steam line 10 leading upwardly from theboiler, and water of condensation is removed, and vacuum conditionscreated and maintained through a return line 11 which, as shown, leadsdirectly to the water inlet side 12 of the centrifugal water pump G. Thewater admitted from the return line is driven through the pump anddischarged back into the boiler through a boiler return line 13.

Vacuum created within the return line 11, and thence throughout thesystem through a vacuum pipe 14: leading from the return line 11 to thevacuum tank l which tank is provided with a suction line 15 leading fromthe vacuum tank through suitable couplings 16 to the air pump 13.

In order to admit atmospheric air into the vacuum line during the periodof time while water is being pumped through the boiler return line 13, aboiler check valve mechanism G is fitted into the boiler return line ata. suitable point, which during the passage of water through the boilerreturn line is actuated in such a way as to admit atmospheric airthrough an air inlet valve mechanism H into the couplings 16, so thatduring this interval the effective operation of the air pump B will besuspended, and the pump will merely rotate idle without being subjectedto a pumping load.

For a like purpose, in order to disable the operation of the water pump,while vacuum is being maintained in the suction line 15, an air inletvalve appliance l is provided, which is actuated through the conditionstemporarily established in a connecting pipe 17, the parts being sorelated that during the interval of vacuum in the suction pipe line15--l6, atmospheric air will be admitted through a pipe 18 to theinterior of the water pump, so that the operation of the pump will bedisabled and suspended, though rotatlng idly while the motor A isenergized.

l/Vhen conditions within the system are such that no operation of eitherpump is necessary, the motor circuit will. be broken through theautomatic action of a switch J actuated by a diaphragm K, the interiorof which communicates with the vacuum tank F through the medium of apipe 19 (see Fig. 1). A shutting off of the motorwill'occur after thesystem has been freed from water 5 of condensation and a predetermineddegree of vacuum has been established, in the return line, as forinstance eight inches, which degree of vacuum is adequate to collapsethe diaphragm against the tension of a spring j, and thereby actuate theswitch Jr through the pull of a draw rod 20. It is not deemed necessaryto described in detail the construction of the switch, since anysuitable type of switch'may be employed for the purpose of controllingthe flow of electrical energy through the motor circuit. The motor willthus remain idle until the vacuum has been reduced to a predetermineddegree which I will reverse the operation of the switch and close thecircuit, thus again actuating the motor. The fall in vacuum should be'sufli cient, however, totemporarily establish relatively low vacuumconditions to assist the a water pump when its op-erationis resumed ineffectively dischargingwater accumulated in the system.

The construction of the various appliances heretofore referred to ingeneral terms will This port is controlled by a valve 39 con q now bedescribed more in detail. 7 j j The air pump B comprises a rotor 21having curvedly configured blades 22 which extend outwardly from ahub'portion 23. The blades are connected through their centers M? by acircumferentially extending ring-shaped 'web 24 which terminatesexteriorly of the hub to furnish, between the base of each blade, across passage or opening 25. i

The rotoris mounted within an inner drum M shaped chamber having aperipheral wall 26 and side walls'27'and 28 respectively. The peripheralwall, in its upper portion, merges into an air inlet conduit'29 whichopens into, the space immediately outside of the rotor A blades, whichrotate in a clockwisedirection, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. i

The peripheral wall, at a point immediately behind the air inletconduit, is thickened to afford a block-olfsection, 30 which is 10-catod at a point in proximate relation to air 5 outlet ports 33 cutthrough the side walls 27 and 28 of the inner drum-shaped chamber at apoint substantially adjacent to the base I of the blades. The innerwallof the block-0H section lies in contiguous relation to the rotor blades,and this relationship continues up to the port of the inlet conduit,which is so. formed as to direct the air inwardly in tangential relationto the to s of the blades and'-into the enlarged annu ar space inside ofthe inner casing, which space continues in undiminished width upfto apoint adjacent the outlet port 33. I

The outlet port opens into anouter side chamber 34, which is duplicatedin the side chamber 35 on the opposite side, the side chambers 34 and 35being closed by the side wallsj36 on the outer casing, which, as shown,

is of boxlike formation and completely surrounds and encloses the innerrotorchamber.

The side chambers 34 and 35 merge into one another and constituteportionsv of an outer air discharge chamber which dischargesair througha pipe 37 preferably leading to the atmosphere.

The discharge of airthrough the'pipe 37 I is controlled by a diaphragmvalve device L, the interior of which is connected with the vacuumreturn line 16 by a pipe connection 16, so arranged that when vacuumcondimitted into the vacuum line 16,- the diaphragm valve Lwill close toimpede but not entirely prevent the passage of air, so that under closedconditions there willbe a seepage of air into the outer chamber of therotor.

The peripheral wall 26 of the rotor chamher is provided with a port 38through which the charge of water which is employed to effect thepumping of the air is expelled from the rotor chamber when the port 38is open.

nected with a diaphragm 40 in communication with the suction pipe line15l6 consti- .tuting apart of the'vacuum line. This arrangement issuch'that when the diaphragm is subjected to the suction within thevacuum line, the valve'39 willbe held closed and the water retainedwithin the rotor chamber above the level of the axis 'of'the rotor, butwhen the vacuum is broken by the admission ofatmospheric air, the waterwithin the rotor chamber will be expelled into the outer chamber, andthe rotor will then cease to function as an air pump.

In order to stabilize the maintenance-of a proper water level within thepump B, a reserve reservoir 41 is provided, which connects with the baseof the pump casing by means of a pipe 42.. Within the reservoirj41 is apost 43 which pivots a lever 44 carrying a float 45 at one end and aweight 46 at the other end. I I

The lever 44 has pivoted thereto a valve 47 which seats against theupperend of a drain pipe 48, the arrangement being such that after thewater has risen in the reserve.

reservoir to the desired height, the valve 47 will be lifted and theexcess water discharged through the drain pipe 48, back into the system.I

In addition to the water discharge port 38, the rotor chamber isprovided. in its wall with one or more relief vent ports 49 leading fromthe interior of the rotor chamber to the outer chamber, so that anyexcess of water coming into the rotor chamber may. be expelled duringthe closed period of the valve 39. A certain amount of water ofcondensation entrained with the air drawn into the pump will find itsway into the interior of the rotor chamber, and this, together with 5the water seeping in from the outer chamber,

will afford sufiicient water within the chamher to maintain the airpumping operation during the closed period of the valve 39.

In operation, the rotation of the rotor or impeller will, while thevalve 39 is closed, cause the water within the chamber to traveloutwardly by centrifugal action and will fill the space within theperipheral wall, leaving' the base of each of the pockets between theadjacent blades free from water until the blades reach the block-oilsection ot the chamber wall, which forces the water inwardly and eXpelsthe charge of air through the port 33 in the chamber wall. Air drawn inthrough the air inlet conduit 29 will meet the revolving ring of waterat a point where it is suddenly released from the confinement ot theblock-oft section 80, and in a more or less agitated condition. so thatthe air will readily find its way inwardly through the water ring, andthus each of the pockets will be charged with air, which will be carried around and forced out when the pocket reaches the block-offsection. lhis forces the air out into the outer chamber and thencethrough the eduction pipe 37, and serves to develop WWI-(31111111conditions within th system, and the pumping action will continue untilthe valve opens through the admission of atmospheric air, which breaksthe vacuum and permits expansion of the collapsible diaphragm 40.

The side walls 27 and 28 of the rotor chamber, at their centers, areapertured to proide for the passage of the shaft upon which i the rotoris mounted, and it will he noted that these apertures afford asirllicient clearance for the ingress of waterto enter the rotorcha-n'iber, irrespective of the position of the valve 39. There also aclearance between the rotor blades and the side walls of the chamber, sotl it the water entering at the center will be diverted outwardly andconstitute what may be termed a water packing.

Moreover, the float in the reserve reservoir ii is located at asufficiently high level to rise only when an excessive amount of wa r ispresent, so that under no condition Will the volume oi water besufficiently depleted to prevent the resumption ot operations u l npumping conditions are reestablished within the air pump. Means otherthan a float con. trolled reserve reservoir might be provided foriegulatino the water volume in such a way as to always conserve asrl'licieut volume of water for operating: purposes.

The expulsion of the water from the rotor easing into the reservereservoir is due in part to the building up of a pressure withinatmospheric air, admitted. to the vacuum line 16, causes a closing ofthe diaphragm valve L and a consequent restriction of the air discharge.In these conditions, the pressure will be built up to the degreerequired to disable the pumping operation. of the air pump, so that aslong as such conditions are maintained the rotor will operate idly andwithout being subjected to a pumping load.

As soon, however, as atmospheric air is excluded from the vacuum line,pumping conditions will be very quickly ire-established within the airpump. This appears to be due to the fact that as soon as free admissionof atmospheric air through the air inlet H is completely closed, theescape of even a small volume of atmospheric air through the diaphragmvalve L will reduce the pressure within the rotor casing and allowsuflicient water to return to initiate the air pumping; action of therotor, which thereafter very quickly builds up a sufiicient vacuum tofully open the diaphragm valve l), and also to close the valve 39, whichcompletely restores the pump to its full effectiveness. It is thereforein'iportantto so relate the various portions of the apparatus in such away that when the air discharged through the pipe 37 is impeded, asufficient air pressure will be developed to lower the water levelsuiiiciently to relieve the rotor from the air pumping; load during: theinterval while atmospheric air is being freely admitted into the vacuumreturn line, and at the same time to make adequate provision for theinflow of air into the rotor casing to destroy the pressure and permitthe return of water as soon as atmospheric air is excluded from thevacuum return line. The mechanism shown makes adequate provision formaintenance of the required equilibriin'u, although other means might beprovided for attaining}; similar result.

Means for operating the valve 39 to permit escape of water from therotor chamber will now be described. These means are the check valve Gin the boiler return line 13 operative to control the actionof the airinlet valve H.

Referring to Fig. 5, the boiler check valve (l comprises a shell whichis coupled into the boiler return line 13, which shell is provided onits interior with a stepped cross wall 51 atl'ording a water dischargeport 52 beveled on its upper face to aliord valve seat 53 which coactswith a tapered valve 54 carried by an open neck 55 through the base ofwhich extends a stud 56 constituting the upper end of a valve stem 57.

Below the stud is located a tapered collar 58 which seats upon a flaredor beveled rim at the upper end of a bore 60 in a threaded nipple 6].. Acoil spring 62 is interposed between the tapered valve head 54k and acollar 63 mounted upon the stud 58. The cross pin Gel entered throughthe stud affords a conthe outer chamber of the rotor soon as nectionbetween the stud and the base of the be lifted, the parts, however,being so pro 'portioned as to allow a slight amountof lost motion orfreedom of action between the stem and the neck of the valve head.

The stem at its lower end carries a tapered air valve 65 which providedwith an open neck '36 through which is entered the reduced lower end 67of the. stem,a c011 sprmg 68 being' interposed between the base of theneck,

and awasher 69 carried by; the stem.

Above the neck of the air valve is located a tapered valve collar 70,held in place by.

a flanged cross bar .71 carrying weights 71 and held in place by a 121mbnut 72. The

valve collar bears against a flared-or taner'ed rim .7 3 at the lowerend-of the bore 60. The air valve65 seats againsta tapered valve seat 74at the upper end of a passage 75 formed in a nipple 76 which connectswith a coupling 77 forming a part of the connec-.

tions or couplings 16 leading to the diaphragm 40. I

The operation of the features j ust described is as follows While thewater is being pump ed through the boiler return line, the water checkvalve 54 will be lifted, and the. lifting of this valve will unseat theair valve 65, al-

lowing atmospheric air to flow through the pipe connections 16 to thecollapsiblediaphragm 40, which expands the same and unseats the valve39, allowing the water in'the rotor chamber to be expelled, so that thewater ring will be broken and/the rotor disabled and cease to act-as anair pump, this disabling being assisted by the opening 49, a check valve70 in the pipe 15 preventing ingress of air upwardly into the (vacuumtank F. V

With the cessation of the water 1 flow through the boiler return line,due to the exhaustion of the water of condensation in the return line ofthe radiator system, the valve 54 will seat itself and thus will allowthe stem 57 to d rop, thereby causing the air valve also to seat,closing the line of communication with the atmosphere. This will resultin the establishment of a closed vacuum line through the radiatorsystem, with the result that the valve 39 will he closed by the buildingup of a vacuum in the pipe connections 16, which onnect with the vacuumline 15 leading to the vacuum tank and thence to the return line 7 pump,the mechanism shown in Fig. 7 1s proof the radiator system.

The springs 62 and 68 coact in such a way that when either the boilercheck valve 54 or "he air valve 65 is seated. either of these springswill holdthe stem 57- down and keep seal the bore through the nipplewhen the and again establish water check valve 54 is open to permit thepassage of water, since the absence of a seal at this point'might permitthe dripping of water from the boiler return line and its admissioninto' the air inlet.

In lieu of the boiler check in the form shown in, Fig. 5, .a like resultmay be obtained by the use of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6, in which aflap valve 78 provided, which is carried by a rock shafts-79 en teredthrough the wallof a casing 80 provided with beveled shoulder 81, whichconstitutes a seatfor the flap valve, which when 1 closed will occupythe position shown in dotted lines. As shown, this valve is located inthe radiator return line 11 leading to the -water pump instead of in theboiler-return line 13, although it might be located in the latter ifdesire The flap valve 79, at its end, carries a lever arm 82 providedwlth an extension 83 carrying an adjustable weight 84. A link .85 ispivoted to the arm 82 and carries an air valve 86, which when loweredrests upon a seat 87 formed in a fitting 88 provided at its upper endwith a flared rim 89. The air valve has a stem 90 concentric withit'.'which,is slidable through a bridge9l. I The fitting 88 communicateswith the air.

connections "16 for admitting air -to disable .the operationof the airpump. So long .as :water is passing throughthe boiler return line 13,the air valve will be lifted and atmospheric air admitted'to theconnections 16.

Valves of various. forms might be employed for the same purpose, and itis not" the intentionto limit the invention to the em since the essenceof the idea involved is that of controlling the admission of air throughployment of a valve'of any particular form,

the action of the water flow to 'or from the 7 water pump, either by theaction of a valve of suitable form or of some other instrumentalityresponsive to differential in pressures 1n the water return line. Inthis way, so long as a substantial volume of water is passing throughthe water return line, either to or from the water pump, atmospheric airwill be admittedto disable the operation of the air pump, but as soon asthe water flow ceases, the vacuum line will be sealed, so

that water will return to the rotor chamber 7 pumping conditions to theair pump.

In order to disable the action of the water vided. This mechanism isdesigned to admit atmospheric air to the water pump so long as thevacuum creating system is closed and a vacuum maintained therein. Thisresult is accomplished by the provision ofan air valve 92 mounted on astem 93 and backed by a spring 94 located within a tubular shell Whenthe" stem is thrust upwardly and.

"within a cross head 97 which carries a bellows formed diaphragm 98carrying a cross bar 99 at its lower end. On the opposite side of thecross head a post 100 is provided to limit the upward movement of thecross bar as. The pipe 17 communicates with the interior of the bellowsformed diaphragm 98,

i which in turn connects with the vacuum line,

as shown in Figure 1. With this arrangement, as long as conditions ofvacuum are maintained through the pipe 17, the dia phragm will bepartially collapsed and lifted, thereby exerting an upward thrust on theair valve stem 93, which opens the air valve for the admission of air tothe intake of the water pump, which disables the action of the latterand prevents the pumping of water during the maintenance of vacuumconditions. a

If desired, a thermostatically controlled valve 101, of any suitabletype, may be interposed in the vacuum line, preferably in the pipe 14leading to the vacuum tank, which will respond to changes in temperatureand close the vacuum line after the temperature has risen to apredetermined degree.

Operation The operation of the apparatus will in the main be understoodfrom the foregoing description, but may be briefly summarized asfollows: Vi ith the motor in operation and driving a line shaftconnected with both of the pumps, the accumulated water in the returnline of the radiator system will be pumped through the water pump andthrough the return line to the boiler. The flow of water through thewater system will open the vacuum line and admit atmospheric air to theair pump, thereby disabling the operation of the latter, so that it willrotate idly so long as the water is passing either to or from the waterpump. With the cessation of the water flow, the air valve will beclosed, and the closing of the air valve will establish conditions ofeffective operation in the air pump, so that air will be drawn from thevacuum tank and thence through the radiator return line, establishingand maingaining vacuum conditions in the system and {serving to inducethe flow of low pressure steam through the radiators.

As the steam follows through the system,

it will increase the temperature up to the degree required to operatethe thermostatically controlled valve 101. which will temporarily closecommunication with the vacuum tank. This will cause a rapid depletion ofthe air in the vacuum tank, and when the vacuum has reached apredetermined point,

as for instance eight inches, will operate the diaphragm K to break themotor circuit and stop the motor. A like result will follow, even thoughthe thermostatic valve remains open, provided the vacuum in the systemreaches the degree required to operate the switch J which controls themotor circuit. During the operation of the air pump, the water pump willbe disabled by the admission of atmospheric air through the controldevice I, so that, during these conditions, the water pump will workidly and without imposing any appreciable load upon the motor.

The mechanism as a whole is of simple construction, but by the provisionof the controls described, combined together in harmonized relation toone another, the varying conditions in the system will be provided for,and the system will automatically adjust itself to meet such varyingconditions.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an airpump, a water pump, and means for alternately effectively intermittentlyactuating the respective pumps, a water line within which the water pumpis interposed, an air return line. leading to the air pump, and meanslocated in. the water line and operable by the passage of water pumpedtherethrough during the normal operation of the water puinp to opencommunication between the air return line and the atmosphere to admitatmospheric air to disable the operation of the air pump during thewhole pumping period of the liquid pump.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an airpump, a water pump, and means for actuating the pumps, a water linewithin which the water pump is interposed, an air return line leading tothe air pump, means located in the water line and operable by thepassage of water therethrough to open conununication between the airreturn line and the atmosphere to admit atmospheric air to disable theoperation of the air pump, and means communicating with the air returnline and operable by the maintenance of vacuum conditions therein toadmit atmospheric air to the later pump to disable the operation of thewater pump.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an airpump, a water pump, a motor, and a line shaft common to the two pumpsfor imparting pumping movements to the pumps, a water line within whichthe water pump is interposed, an air return line leading to the airpump, and means located in the water line and operable by the passage ofpumped water therethrough during the normal operation oi the water pumpto open commimication betwee the air return line and the atmosphere toadmit atmospheric air to disable the efi'ective operableby the passageof, water therethrough to open communicationbetween the air return lineand the atmosphere to admit atmospheric air to disable the operation ofthe air pump, and means communicating with the air return line andoperable by the maintenance of vacuum conditions therein to admitatmospheric air to the water pumpto I disable the operation of the waterpump;

5. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of arotary waterpump and a rotary air pump, a shaft upon which both of said pumps aremounted to rotate in uni son, a motor for actuating said shaft, the airpump being provided with a rotor having "blades adapted to coact with abody of water maintained in contact with said blades to effect thepumping of air, and the pump being provided with a valveand controllingmeans so related that when the valve is opened the Quody of water willbe permitted to discharge i'rom'the rotor blades to disable the actionof the pump, a water line within which the water pump is interposed, andmeans interposed in he water line and adapted during the pas- Eage ofwater therethrough to admit atmospheric air to actuate the valvecontrolling means to open the air pump valve and permit the discharge ofwater from contact with the rotor blades to disable the actionofthe air-iump in pumping air. I

1 6. In mechanism of the class described, the combination or" a rotarywater'pump and a: rotary air pump, a shaft upon which both of aid pumpsare mounted to rotate in unison, e} motor for actuating said shaft, theair pump being provided with arotor having blades adapted to coact witha body of water maintained in contact with said blades to effect themmping of air, and the pump being proe v ided with a valve andcontrolling means so related that when the valve is opened the body ofwater will be permitted to discharge from the rotor blades to disablethe actionof the pump, a vacuum line communicating with the ,Qir pump, awater line within which the water pump is interposed, and meansinterposed in the water line and adapted during the'passage of watertherethrough to admit atmosheric air to actuate the valve controllingleans to open'the airpump valve and permit the discharge of water fromcontact with the rotor blades to disable the action of theair pump inpumping air,'a controlling device or the'water pump in communicationwiththe vacuum line leading to the air pump and adapted upon theestablishment of predetermined vacuum conditions therein to admitatmospheric air tothe water pump to disable I its action. a

'7. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a rotarywater pump and a rotary air pump, a shaft upon which both of said pumpsare mounted to rotate in unison, a motor for actuating said shaft, theair pump being provided with a rotor having blades adapted to coactwitha body of water maintained in contact with said blades to effect thepumping of air, and the pump being pro- I vided with a valveandcontrolling means so related that when the valve is opened the bodyof water will be permitted to discharge from the rotor blades to disablethe action of the pump, a vacuum line communicating with the air pump, awater line'within which the 7 water pump is nterposed, andmeansinterposed in thewater line and adapted during the passage of watertherethrough to admit atmospheric air to'actuate the valve controllingmeans to open the air pump valve and permit the discharge of water fromcontact with the rotor blades-to disable the action of the air pump inpumping air, a controlling device for the water pump in communicationwith the vacuum line leading to the airpump and'adapted upon theestablishment of pre determined vacuum conditions therein :to

admit atmospheric air to the water pump to disable its action, a motorcircuit, a switch for controlling the motor clrcuit, and means incommunication with the vacuum line for actuating the switch upon theestablishment of predetermined vacuum conditions therein to break thecircuit and stop the motor.

8. In mechanism ofthe class described,-the combination of axrotary waterpump and a rotarvair pump, a shaft upon which both of said pumps aremounted to rotate in unison, a motor for actuating said shaft, the

air pump being provided with a rotor having blades adapted to coact withthe body of water maintained in contact with said blades to effect thepumping of air, and the pump being provided with a valve and controllingmeans so related that when the valve is opened the body of water will bepermitted to discharge from the rotor blades to disable theactionof thepump, a vacuum line communicating with the air pump, a water line withinwhich the water pump is interposed, and means interposed in the waterline and adapted dur-- ingthe passage of water therethrough to admitatmospheric air to actuate the valve controlling means to open the airpump valve and permit the discharge of water from contact with the rotorblades to disable the action of the air pump in pumping air, acontrolling device for the water pump in communication with the vacuumline leading to theair pump and adapted upon the establishment ofpredetermined vacuum conditions therein to admit atmospheric air to thewater pump to disable its action, a motor circuit, a switch forcontrolling the motor circuit, means in communication with the vacuumline for actuating the switch upon the establishment of predeterminedvacuum con ditions therein to break the circuit and stop the motor, anda thermostatically controlled member in the vacuum line, adapted to beactuated by rise in temperature to a predetermined point to close thevacuum line and effect the establishment of the predetermined vacuumconditions aforesaid.

9. In mechanism of the class described, the

combination of a water pump and a rotary air pump, the air pump beingprovided with a rotor having blades adapted to coact with a body ofwater maintained in Contact with said blades to effect the pumping ofair, and

' the pump being provided with an outlet from the space adjacent therotor, affording a discharge for the water coacting with the rotorblades to disable the action of the pump, a vacuum line communicatingwith the rotor, a

passage leading from the air pump for discharging air therefrom, valvemeans Within said passage responsive to conditions within the vacuumline, a water line within which the water pump is interposed, meanslocated in the water line and adapted during the passage of watertherethrough to admit atmospheric air to the vacuum line, the partsbeing so related that during the admission of atmospheric air thedischarge of air from the air pump will be restricted by partial closingof the valve means therein, and pressure conditions established withinthe pump adequate to reduce the water level to a point beow effectivepumping conditions, and the parts being further so related that when theinflow of atmospheric air is prevented the pressure within the air pumpwill be reduced to permit the return of water and thereby to e-establishair pumping conditions.

10. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a rotarywater pump and a rotary air pump, a shaft upon which both of said pumpsare mounted to rotate in union, a motor for actuating said shaft, theair pump being provided with a rotor having blades adapted to coact witha body of water maintained in contact with said blades to effect thepumping of air, and the pump being nrovided with an outlet from thespace adjacent the rotor, affording a discharge for the water coactingwith the rotor blades to disable the action of the pump, a vacuum linecommunicating with the rotor, a passage oading from the air pump fordischarging air therefrom, valve means within said passage responsive toconditions within the vacuum line, a water line within which the waterpump is interposed, means located in the water line and adapted duringthe passage of water therethrough to admit atmospheric air to the vacuumline, the parts being so related that during the admission ofatmospheric air the discharge of air from the air pump will berestricted by partial closing of the valve means therein, and pressureconditions established within the pump adequate to reduce the waterlevel to a point below effective pumping conditions, and the parts beingfurther s0 related that when the inflow of atmospheric air is preventedthe pressure within the air pump will be reduced to permit the return ofwater and thereby to reestablish air pumping conditions.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an airpump, a water pump, and means for alternately effectively intermittentlyactuating the respective pumps, a water line within which the water pumpis interposed, an air line leading to the air pump, and means located inthe water line and operable by the passage of water pumped therethroughduring the normal op eration of the water pump to disable the operationof the air pump during the whole pumping period of the liquid pump.

. 12. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of an air pump, a water pump, and means for actuatingthe pumps, a Water line within which the water pump is interposed, anair line leading to the air pump, means located in the water line andoperable by the passage of water therethrough to disable the operationof the air pump, and means communicating with the air return line andoperable by the maintenance of vacuum conditions therein to disable theoperation of the water pump.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an airpump, a water pump, a motor, and a shaft common to the two pumps forimparting pumping movements to the respective pumps, a water line withinwhich the water pump is interposed, an air line leading to the air pump,and means located in the water line and operable by the passage ofpumped water therethrough during the normal operation of the water pumpto disable the operation of the air pump during the whole pumping periodof the liquid pump.

1a. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an airpump, a water pump, a motor, and a shaft common to the two pumps foroperating the pumps, a water line within which the water pump isinterposed, an air line leading to the air pump, means located in thewater line and operable by the passage of water therethrough to opencommunication between the air line and the atmosphere to admitatmospheric air to disable the operation of the air pump, and meanscommunicating with the air line and operable by the maintenance ofvacuum conditions therein to disable the operation of the water pump.

means for operating the pumps,a liquid line 15. 'In an apparatus of theclass described,

e the combination of liquid and gas pumps, and

means for operating the pumps, a liquid line ation of the gas pump, todisable the effective operation of the liquid pump.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of liquidand gas pumps, and means for constantly rotating the two pumps inunison, a liquid line within which the liquid pump is interposed, a gasline leading to the gas pump, means responsive to the flow of water inthe liquid line for preventing the effective operation of the gas pump,when water in predetermined volume flows to the water pump, and meansresponsive to vacuum conditions and adapted, when suction in predetermined amount is developed in the gas line by the effectiveoperation of the gas pump, to disable the effective operation of theliquid pump. 1

17 In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of liquid andgas pumps, and

Within which the liquid pump is interposed, a gas line leading to thegas pump, means responsive to the flow of water in the liquid line forpreventing theefiectiveoperation of the gas pump, when water inpredetermined volume flows to the water pump, and means responsive tovacuum conditions and adapted, when suction in predetermined amount isdeveloped in the gas line by the effective operation of the gas pump, todisable the effective 9 operation of the liquid pump, and thermostaticmeans in communication with the gas line and adapted upon predeterminedrise of temperature of gas in the gas line to arrest the pumping of:gas.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination ofliquid andgas pumps, and

means for constantly rotating the two pumps v in unison, a liquid linewithin which the liquid pump is interposed, a gas line leading to thegas pump, means responsive to the flow of water in the liquid line forpreventing the effective operation of the gas pump, when Water inpredetermined volume flows to the water pump, and means responsive tovacuum conditions and adapted, when suction in pre? deter-mined amountis developed in the gas line by the effective operation of the gas pump,to disable the efi'ective operation of the liquid pump, thermostaticmeans in communication with the gas line and adapted upon predeterminedrise of temperature of gas in the gas line to arrest the pumping of gasand the increase of vacuum, and means responsive to increase in thevacuum beyond a predetermined point for stopping the operation of thepump rotating means,

19. In an apparatus of the class the combination of liquid and gaspumps, and means for operating the pumps, a liquid line within which theliquid pumpis interposed, a gas line leading to the gas pump, meansresponsive to the iiow of water in the liquid line for preventing theeffective operation of the gas pump, when water in predetermined volumeflows to the water pump, and means responsive to vacuum conditions andadapted, when suction in predetermined; amount 1s developed in the gasline by the efiective operation of the gas pump, to disable the eflcctive operation of the liquid pump, and means responsive to vacuumconditions in the gas line for causing an intermittent operation ofthepump operating means to the end that periodic low vacuum conditionsmay obtain during the period of effective operation oi the liquid pump.

20. I11 an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of liquid and gas pumps,

and means for constantly rotating the two pumps in unison, a liquid linewithin which the liquid pump is interposed, a gas line leading to thegas pump, means, for preventing the effective operation of the gas pump,when an intermittent operation of the pump operating means to the endthat periodic low vacuum conditions may obtain during the period ofeffective operation 'ofthe liquid pump.

21 111 a pumping system of the class described, the combination of afluid linelead-r ing from thesource of fluids to be pumped, a

fluid pump connected to the fluid line and adapted when effectivelyoperatingto With- "draw fluid therefrom, a vacuum or cool air chamber,an air line connecting the fluid line with the vacuum or coolairchamber, a vacuum or air pump connected with the vacuum or cool airchamber and adapted when functioning to exhaust air therefrom, a motorfor operating the pumps, and an intervening back flow check valveinterposed in the'connection between the vacuum pump and the vacuum orcool air chamber, a water line provided with a back flow checK valvelead ng from the discharge of the water pump to tho destination of thewater, an atmospheric inlet to the suction or air pump, a valvecontrolling such inlet, means responsive to water pumping conditions andadapted to open the atmospheric inlet to the suction of the vacue um orair pump, thereby rendering it ineffective when the water pumpfunctions, and vice versa to close such atmospheric inlet when the waterpump ceases to function, so that the vacuum or air pump may functioneffectively, means for operating the pumps, :1 thermostaticallycontrolled valve in the air line, a switch for energizing and(ls-energizing the motor, and means responsive to vacuum conditionswithin the system for controlling the switch and tie-energizing themotor when a given degree of vacuum has been obtained.

22. In a pumping system of the class described, the combination of aliquid line, a liquid pump suitably interposed in the liquid line topump liquid therethrough during the period of an adequate supply ofliquid, a gas line, a gas pump suitably connected to the gas line topump gas therethrough, power means for driving the pumps, and meansresponsive to the quantitative status of the liquid line, to maintaincommunication from the atmosphere to the gas pump during the period ofan adequate supply of liquid to the liquid pump and to close suchcommunication when the liquid supply is inadequate, thereby providingseparate periods for pumping liquid and gas through and from therespective lines.

23. In a pumping system of the class described, the combination of aliquid line, a liquid pump suitably interposed in the liquid line topump liquid therethrough during the period of an adequate supply ofliquid, a gas line, a gas pump suitably connected to the gas line topump gas therethrough, a thermostatic valve interposed in the gas lineand adapted upon predetermined rise of temperature of gasto arrest theincrease of vacuum in the gas line, and means responsive to thequantitative status of the liquid line, to maintain communication fromthe atmosphere to the as pump during the period of an adequate supply ofliquid to the liquid pump and to close such communication when theliquid supply is inadequate, thereby providing separate periods forpumping liquid and gas through and from the respective lines.

24. In a pumping system of the class described, the combination of aliquid line, a liquid pump suitably interposed in the. liquid line topump liquid therethrough during the period of an adequate supply ofliquid, a gas line, a gas pump suitably connected to the gas line topump gas therethrough, power means for driving the pumps, meansresponsive to the quantitative status of the liquid line, to maintaincommunication from the atmosphere to the gas pump during the period ofan adequate supply of liquid to the liquid pump, and to close suchcommunication when the liquid supply is inadequate, thereby providingseparate periods for pumping liquid and gas through and from therespective lines, and control means also responsive to quantitativeconditions in the liquid line for turning the power means 011 and oil toprovide for certain periods of inactivity to allow the vacuum to fall toa predetermined low point desirable for pumping liquid.

25. In a pumping system of the class described, the combination 0]": aliquid line, a liquid pump suitably interposed in the liquid line topump liquid therethrough during the period of an adequate supply ofliquid, a gas line, a gas pump suitably connected to the gas line topump gas therethrough, a thermostatic valve interposed in the gas lineand adapted upon predetermined rise of temperature of to arrest theincrease of vacuum in the gas line, power means for driving the pumps,means responsive to the quantitative status of the liquid line, tomaintain communication from the atmosphere to the gas pump during theperiod of an adequate supply of liquid to the liquid pump, and to closesuch communication when the liquid supply is inadequate, therebyproviding separate periods for pumping liquid and gas through and fromthe respective lines, and control means also responsive to quantitativeconditions in the liquid line for turning the power means on and off toprovide for certain periods of inactivity to allow the vacuum to fall toa predetermined low point desirable for pumping liquid.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 8th day of May 1929.

LUCIAN F. EASTON.

